Archive for
May 19th, 2009

Utah Jazz guard/forward Kyle Korver underwent successful minor surgery Monday to remove scar tissue from his right wrist, Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor announced today. The procedure was performed by Dr. Andrew Weiland in New York City.

Korver’s wrist will be re-examined by Weiland in two weeks at which point a timeframe for his recovery will be provided.

Originally acquired by the Jazz from Philadelphia on December 29, 2007, the six-year NBA veteran appeared in 128 regular season games with the Jazz over the past two seasons, averaging 9.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 23.0 minutes per game. Korver averaged 9.0 points and 3.3 rebounds in 78 games during the 2008-09 season.

Tom Penn, the Trail Blazers assistant general manager for the past two seasons, has been promoted to Vice President of Basketball Operations, General Manager Kevin Pritchard announced today.

Penn joined the Trail Blazers in 2007 after a seven-year stint with the Vancouver/Memphis Grizzlies, where he served as assistant general manager/legal counsel.

“I am absolutely thrilled and grateful to have the opportunity to continue to work with Mr. Allen, Kevin Pritchard, Larry Miller and the entire Trail Blazers organization,” Penn said. “We are blessed with a dynamic, talented team, terrific basketball and coaching staffs and a first-class organization. We will do all that we can to improve our team and build toward our ultimate goal of an NBA championship.”

Penn, tapped by the Trail Blazers for his extensive knowledge of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and salary cap, will continue to work with Pritchard on managing day-to-day aspects of the team’s basketball operations, including contract negotiations, talent evaluation, personnel acquisition and player/agent relations.

“When we talk about team chemistry, it extends to our staff and the role everyone plays in creating a winning culture here,” Pritchard said. “Tom has had a huge hand in our success, and I’m pleased that he will remain and continue to help us build this franchise.”

Penn, 41, worked as a criminal defense attorney after completing studies at the University of Notre Dame and University of Illinois law school. He later worked as a player agent, gathering his first NBA experience as a member of the acquisition team during Michael Heisley’s pursuit of the Vancouver Grizzlies.